12 year olds drinking O'Douls...appropriate?

[LuvsDragonflies]

Exactly. Kids get "virgin" cocktails when adults are drinking the real ones that they cannot have. Non-alcoholic beer is no different.

Except for the fact there is actually alcohol in it.

 

[sarah4770]

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[JulyGirl]

I don't know of any state where it is illegal for a minor to consume NON-ALCOHOLIC beer. Can you show us that state statute?

4301.22 Rules for sales of beer and intoxicating liquor under all classes of permits and from state liquor stores.

Sales of beer and intoxicating liquor under all classes of permits and from state liquor stores are subject to the following restrictions, in addition to those imposed by the rules or orders of the division of liquor control:

(A)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no beer or intoxicating liquor shall be sold to any person under twenty-one years of age.

(2) No low-alcohol beverage shall be sold to any person under eighteen years of age.

0.5% is considered Low alcohol. If it's illegal to buy, why would it be appropriate to consume? I can't imagine some of the "supporters" on this thread would actually let their kids walk around with what is essentially a beer bottle at a Labor Day picnic.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Just because its not fruity or slushie doesn't mean its not ok! It just means its not the taste YOU would choose. As for the near beer or energy drinks being "crap", the virgin cocktails aren't exactly healthy, so why are they ok?

Regardless of what anyone thinks, the kid may like the taste. Stranger things have happened!

If they are not giving the kid alcohol then it really isn't anyone's business.

Ummmm, I never said that it was my business.

And, just how is my opinion YOUR business?

Sorry, my opinion is what it is...
You can quote me and try to engage... ( no surprise there )

My opinion stands.

 

[FireDancer]

I have only read the OP but I'm sure this thread has turned into one side saying that it will lead to alcoholism while the other claims that hiding alcohol from their kids and not talking about it does. Am I right? Gotta love DIS Boards extremes.

When we were kids we weren't allowed to drink non-alcoholic drinks except for special occasions. We got the NA champagne on New Years Eve and once or twice I remember being allowed to drink NA-Beer. I remember I was 10 at my grandparents 40th wedding anniversary and we were allowed it then and once when our whole family went on vacation (grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and so on). I'm sure there were one or two other times. Seeing as this was an occasion I see no reason, based on the OP, to assume the kid drinks it every day or to come to the wild, speculative conclusion that some day he will be an alcoholic. If you grow up in an Italian family there is a good chance you will drink wine before you are 21.

Heck, it would be healthier than drinking pop. Besides, I think some states have exceptions for allowing under-aged kids to drink at home or under the supervision of their parents, in certain circumstances.

ETA: I found this for Ohio (source Ohio Revised Code Section 4301.6):

Under what circumstances can a person under 21 years old drink alcoholic beverages in Ohio?

ANSWER:

If the person consumes the alcohol ‘in the presence’ of their parent, legal guardian, or a spouse who is over 21 years old,
If the alcohol consumption is part of a recognized religious service, or
The alcohol is prescribed for medical treatment by a doctor.

It looks like in the OP the parents and child would have been fine based on exception #1 in my state. I don't know (read:care) about other states. Personally, it isn't my kid and I really don't care if you allow your kid to drink in your own home. It isn't really any of my business.

 

[luvmy3]

4301.22 Rules for sales of beer and intoxicating liquor under all classes of permits and from state liquor stores.

Sales of beer and intoxicating liquor under all classes of permits and from state liquor stores are subject to the following restrictions, in addition to those imposed by the rules or orders of the division of liquor control:

(A)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no beer or intoxicating liquor shall be sold to any person under twenty-one years of age.

(2) No low-alcohol beverage shall be sold to any person under eighteen years of age.

0.5% is considered Low alcohol. If it's illegal to buy, why would it be appropriate to consume? I can't imagine some of the "supporters" on this thread would actually let their kids walk around with what is essentially a beer bottle at a Labor Day picnic.

Ever drink an IBC rootbeer? Thats essentially a beer bottle too

 

[CathrynRose]

Six million years ago, when I bartended at The Olive Garden and homecoming or prom weekends would roll around, we were NOT allowed to serve O'Douls to anyone under 21. It was against the law.

You can not wander into a grocery store, at age 20 and under, and buy O'Douls.

There's still liquor in it. What is the argument here? So, it takes more of them to get you drunk?

Screw it. Hand them a bottle of Jack, and save some money.

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

Six million years ago, when I bartended at The Olive Garden and homecoming or prom weekends would roll around, we were NOT allowed to serve O'Douls to anyone under 21. It was against the law.

You can not wander into a grocery store, at age 20 and under, and buy O'Douls.

There's still liquor in it. What is the argument here? So, it takes more of them to get you drunk?

Screw it. Hand them a bottle of Jack, and save some money.

 

[luvmy3]

Six million years ago, when I bartended at The Olive Garden and homecoming or prom weekends would roll around, we were NOT allowed to serve O'Douls to anyone under 21. It was against the law.

You can not wander into a grocery store, at age 20 and under, and buy O'Douls.

There's still liquor in it. What is the argument here? So, it takes more of them to get you drunk?

Screw it. Hand them a bottle of Jack, and save some money.

It has already been established that there is a difference in serving or selling laws than consumption laws.

There is .5% alcohol in a bottle of OD, thats .06oz out of 12. Thats about the equivalent of a sip of dad's beer, a sip of mom's wine or swallowing some of their mouthwash. You don't drink OD to get drunk, no matter what age you are and its a far cry from a bottle of Jack, so there really isn't an argument here, at least not one you would win

 

[LisaR]

It has already been established that there is a difference in serving or selling laws than consumption laws.

There is .5% alcohol in a bottle of OD, thats .06oz out of 12. Thats about the equivalent of a sip of dad's beer, a sip of mom's wine or swallowing some of their mouthwash. Its a far cry from a bottle of Jack, so there really isn't an argument here, at least not one you would win

 

[bgirldeb]

Meh. I don’t really care if parents give their kids small amounts of alcohol in the privacy of their own home. My parents used to make real wine coolers (wine and sprite) for my sister and I to sip on when we would go on vacation (in our hotel room), as teenagers- 15 or 16 years old.

What I don’t like is the whole attitude here, with the kid walking around with the bottle at a party in front of other people outside the family. Like someone said upthread, it’s like the family wants to look “cool”, and it sets a poor example to the other kids there. I have the same problem with my MIL who buys my 11 y/o niece fancy coffee drinks from McDonalds when they’re out together with their cousins (my boys, 10 and 11). Especially since the girl already thinks she’s in charge, and never says “thank you”. But, that's another story all together.

 

[luvmy3]

I see you didn't bold the rest of that

 

[LisaR]

I see you didn't bold the rest of that

Why would I? So we can continue to argue?

 

[luvmy3]

Why would I? So we can continue to argue?

No need to continue, didn't you read my pp.

 

[cornflake]

For me, you have the underage element. In letting your kids drink at home, you are saying that it's ok to break the law, and that the law should not be respected, so there is that element.

As we've been over, in many places it's not at all against the law.

Even in places where it would be - do people make illegal u-turns with their kids in the car? Speed? Jaywalk? Etc., etc. - people 'say it's ok to break the law' all the time.

When i was a kid, my uncle used to take my cousin and myself to the bar, He would get his beer or cocktail, and we would get shirley temple's so we would feel grown up too.He was being kind, and making us feel special, as we waited for our pizza. Granted, this was a l-o-n-g time ago, and today, this would be unheard of, but back then, it was acceptable.

I agree it's obviously individual but why would this be unheard of today? Kids still get Shirley Temples and virgin whatevers.

 

[princessmom29]

Six million years ago, when I bartended at The Olive Garden and homecoming or prom weekends would roll around, we were NOT allowed to serve O'Douls to anyone under 21. It was against the law.

You can not wander into a grocery store, at age 20 and under, and buy O'Douls.

There's still liquor in it. What is the argument here? So, it takes more of them to get you drunk?

Screw it. Hand them a bottle of Jack, and save some money.

You CAN buy it here at under 21, and it has about the same amout of alcohol that is contained in OJ that has been in your fridge for a couple of days. By your logic we sould be serving Jack for breakfast instead.

 

[princessmom29]

Except for the fact there is actually alcohol in it.

Do give your kids fruit juice that is more than a day old? If so, you are serving them the same amount of alcohol. It is miniscule at best. In fact virgin cocktails that contain fruit juice will likely also have trace amounts of alcohol.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

Well, when he grows up to be an alcoholic, you'll know why.

 

[sarah4770]

.

 

[Magpie]

Do give your kids fruit juice that is more than a day old? If so, you are serving them the same amount of alcohol. It is miniscule at best. In fact virgin cocktails that contain fruit juice will likely also have trace amounts of alcohol.

Oh... that explains why I've always liked fruit salad better after it's been hanging around awhile. I remember telling my mother that I liked the way it made my tongue tingle.

Also, real apple cider.